KISSIMMEE — An older model Dodge pickup truck found about 100 yards from the charred bodies of two men provided investigators their only solid clue Sunday in tracking a 37-year-old Merritt Island man wanted for questioning in the deaths.

Investigators in Brevard, Osceola and Orange counties have been searching for the suspect since they learned the identity of the truck's owner.

''Yesterday we had no idea what we had,'' Osceola sheriff's Lt. Larry Taggett said. ''Today Sunday, we have a suspect. We're concentrating on two things: identifying the men and finding the suspect.''

Taggett said the pickup might have been used to transport the bodies, which were found in northeast Osceola County about 5:30 a.m. Saturday, less than 100 feet from the shoulder of Nova Road, also known as State Road 532.

A motorist saw what appeared to be a small brush fire in the ditch and telephoned officials of the vast Deseret Ranch, which owns land on both sides of the road. When ranch hands arrived at the spot, about 5 miles south of the Osceola-Orange county line, the bodies still were on fire.

''We're looking into the possibility they were killed elsewhere and dumped there,'' Taggett said.

The men, whose bodies were burned beyond recognition, had not been identified as of Sunday. Taggett said investigators ''have kicked around a few names'' but had nothing positive and little to go on.

The Orange-Osceola medical examiner's office is using dental records and fingerprints were being used to trace the identities. Taggett said the Merritt Island man was believed to be an ''associate'' of the men, but would not elaborate.

So far, there have been no reports of anyone missing in Orange, Osceola or Brevard counties. Evidence was collected at the site, but Taggett declined to say if it included firearms or gasoline containers.

Because the bodies were burning when the ranch hands found them, investigators believe they were set on fire no longer than an hour before.

Seven Osceola investigators have been assigned to the case and are working jointly with those in Brevard and Orange counties. The probe is progressing, but the suspect, Taggett said, could ''clear up a lot of unanswered questions.''

The area where the bodies were found is a remote clearing near the Deseret property, just off the road. There are no houses or other buildings nearby. Other than the motorist who reported the fire, investigators have found no one who saw anything.